Category: Guest Column

Historic rehabilitation tax credits are directly responsible for the revitalization of many commercial buildings and historic homes in the State of Georgia each year. Aside from the intrinsic value of saving historic structures, the State of Georgia Residential and Commercial Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program (HRTC) brings significant economic value to the state economy. According […]

At a reception, prior to a lecture I recently gave at Raleigh’s North Carolina Museum of History, I found myself in an exchange not uncommon on such occasions. My interlocutor, a seasoned professional with a background in writing, was telling me that she had occasionally contemplated writing a book herself. But, upon further thought, she […]

Laken Riley, a bright and much-loved young woman, was brutally murdered last week. The devastation and heartbreak her family and loved ones are feeling is unimaginable, and we stand with them in seeking justice and the full weight of the law for those determined guilty of this heinous crime. Laken’s murder has had an expansive […]

As co-founder of the Clarkston Community Health Center (CCHC), a charitable health clinic working in the most diverse square mile in Georgia to provide access to healthcare to those who would otherwise have none, I was shocked to read that Forbes recently ranked Georgia 50th out of 50 states for healthcare. As the data show […]

A tree planted in 1888 at the founding of Georgia Tech soldiered over the Institute’s growth for a century and a half. Another tree, a century old, saw the comings and goings of collegians on UGA North Campus until it came down a few years ago. In a twist of happenstance and a grandmother’s love, […]

You may have seen a trailer or poster recently for George Clooney’s latest film, “The Boys in the Boat.” Based on the novel by Daniel James Brown, it tells the story of the 1936 US Olympic Rowing Team and their journey to gold. Like any good sports story, it demonstrates the power of grit and […]

As a vet, I always check to see if a business offers any benefits for military personnel. It’s not a requirement for me to shop there, but it’s nice to feel appreciated. And I can always tell when a program has been put in place to check a box versus show genuine appreciation. That said, […]

In 2018, I transitioned to a semi-retired lifestyle in Washington Park, nestled in the Historic Westside, just west of Vine City. I’ve lived there for 44 years and raised two wonderful daughters. Formerly a twice-elected city council member representing Vine City, English Ave., Mozley Park, Dixie Hills, and other westside neighborhoods, in 1992, I collaborated […]

More than ever before, the corporate directors of America’s largest and most prominent public companies are likely to reflect an array of gender, racial and ethnic diversity. While there is still room for improvement, it is encouraging that Georgia’s corporate boards, like many other states, are beginning to reflect a broader range of lived experiences.  […]

Housing is a human right. Everyone should be able to have a safe, accessible, affordable place to live. While this feels like it’s a no-brainer, the City of Atlanta seems not to understand the dire urgency and the actions needed given our housing landscape at hand. As Atlanta continues to reign as the City with […]

Formed in 1968 as The Outstanding Young People Of Atlanta (“TOYPA”) organization, Outstanding Atlanta (OA) is the City’s premier honor for community involvement, annually recognizing 10 young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 for distinguishing themselves in their careers and service to Atlanta’s community. Having grown from its initial involvement with the Atlanta Dogwood […]

As you contemplate potential New Year’s resolutions for 2024, several practices could move you toward greater political involvement. Which of these resolutions best suits your plans for political activity in the new year?  1. Be informed Make it part of your daily routine to check reliable news sources and consider purchasing subscriptions to legitimate news […]

As the founder of HelpingUkraine.us, I often find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve undertaken since the onset of the military conflict in Ukraine. From the very beginning, our mission has been clear — help Ukraine. As the war rages on, we have adapted and refocused our efforts to address the evolving needs of the […]

A few years back, an acquaintance who was running for office contacted me to ask for my vote. I asked him how familiar he was with the needs of the Latino community in Atlanta, and all I got was a blank stare. To his credit, he educated himself afterward, but this is a frequent scenario. […]

Atlanta doesn’t have to choose between housing density and its tree canopy – we must grow both. In the midst of July’s record-breaking heat waves, the City of Atlanta released a study of our neighborhoods’ heat and flood vulnerability, which revealed that the highest temperatures are found in areas near Downtown, Midtown, and along arterial […]

To anyone who has stepped onto the Atlanta BeltLine over the past few years, the beauty of this linear park hits you right between the eyes. New York may have its vaunted High Line, but no one has something as impactful as the BeltLine that provides both refreshing access to nature and a vital footpath […]

According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics women comprise 35 percent of the STEM workforce. While this is a considerable increase from a few decades ago, the number is still pretty low overall. Efforts to promote STEM interests in girls aren’t new. However, success hinges on maintaining that interest throughout their academic […]

The economic and market commentary dominating the financial press is often written in tones of linearity and cause-and-effect certainty — sometimes to the point of epistemic arrogance. Rarely is this analysis of economic data and macroeconomic forecasts couched in terms of their inherent uncertainty.   My ruminating on this theory lacked coherence until my recent reading […]

Many people know the Atlanta BeltLine as a wide path that connects some of the Northeast intown neighborhoods’ hot restaurants and shopping venues. But what many may not realize is that the BeltLine is more than just a conversion of abandoned train tracks into a walking path. In fact, the current trail is just one […]

Last year, the American Library Association received objections to over 2,500 different library books across the country, compared to just over 500 in 2019. These figures mark a growing censorship movement, led by a small number of extreme right-wing groups, to prevent kids and young adults from learning about topics they disapprove of, including the experiences of […]